INTRODUCTION
Israel's Situation
The sin cycle of the story line of Judges is clearly marked in the account of Gideon (see Judges 6:1). Apostasy led to oppression. This is an indication of God's sovereignty at work in bringing judgment on His sinful people. For seven long years the Midianites, with the aid of Amalekites and the "children of the east" (a nomadic group from the Syrian desert, east of the Jordan River), raided the Israelites at harvesttime in order to take the best of their produce, including livestock (6:3,4). The Israelites resorted to hiding in caves and assembling fortresses to protect themselves from the multitude of marauders (6:2).
LESSON BACKGROUND
Gideon's Reluctance
Time: 1191 B.C.
Places: Near the hill of Moreh; Near Succoth and Peniel
Like other leaders called by God, Gideon was reluctant. The Mosaic covenant required that there be no testing of God (Deuteronomy 6:16); yet Gideon tested God at least three times.
The first test was just after Gideon was called by the angel of the Lord to save the people (Judges 6:12-14). From the very beginning, Gideon tried to weasel out of his calling (6:7-15). When the Lord insisted that Gideon accept, Gideon asked for "a sign" that this was truly God speaking (6:17). The angel of the Lord complied (6:18-24).
The second test was requested after Gideon was filled with God's Spirit to lead (Judges 6:34). Gideon requested that a fleece of wool be covered with dew in the morning while the ground around it remained dry (6:37). It happened just that way (6:38), but that was not convincing for Gideon! So in his third test, Gideon asked God to reverse the miracle (6:39). God did so (6:40).
God has a sense of humor, indeed, for during all this God described Gideon as a "mighty man of valour" (Judges 6:12). He declared that Gideon would smite the Midianites in "thy might" (6:14). What descriptions for a reluctant warrior! What Gideon should have listened to were these words: "The Lord is with thee," "Have not I sent thee?" and "Surely I will be with thee" (6:12,14,16). Fully appreciating the sovereignty and power of God helps us overcome fear and weakness.
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